Project
Summaries

Project Title: Water Conservation Program for New Jersey EPA Funding: $150,000Project Summary: Rutgers University will partner with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Division of Water to develop a comprehensive program that will engage, organize, and mobilize partnerships with environmental organizations, universities, municipalities, garden clubs, purveyors and retail organizations such as landscapers, garden centers and home improvement stores to help educate the public about water conservation. Rutgers, through its partnership with NJDEP, will work with local governments to develop and implement water conservation ordinances for indoor and outdoor use and to provide State-level regulatory support by amending the Bureau of Water Allocation rules to require a more comprehensive and action oriented Water Conservation and Drought Mitigation Plan and by implementing legislative initiatives to provide support to local municipalities while implementing ordinances. Rutgers hopes to reduce overall water use by 10% in New Jersey within three years of the project launch.Contact Information: Elaine Rossi, erossi@AESOP.Rutgers.edu

Buffalo State College State University of New YorkProject Title: Training and Pollution Prevention for Hospitality Sector BusinessesEPA Funding: $113,942Project Summary: Buffalo State College will conduct pollution prevention training for hospitality department and geography and environmental planning programs, awarding internships to 10 students who will perform P2 assessments at 10 hospitality facilities under the supervision of the Erie County Pollution Prevention Office. Assessments will be multimedia, addressing such areas as maintenance, grounds upkeep, housekeeping, food service, waste generation, utilities, purchasing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, lighting, meetings and conferences, etc. In addition to source reduction, bonus items providing considerable savings through recycling, reuse, etc. will be pointed out, and green hotel issues will be addressed. Additionally, a select group of local businesses will receive training on the systems approach to P2 to continue pollution prevention and cost reductions after the program has ended. Contact Information: Dr. Kim Irvine, irvinekn@buffalostate.edu